University Chapel
WEDDINGS and other special events may be scheduled in the Religion Center for Saturdays and Sundays. Weddings and special events may be held any day of the week ONLY during vacation periods and other times when classes are not in session. No weddings or special events may be scheduled during official university holidays or high holy days of the resident ministry groups. Weekend event time blocks are specific. A reservation request may include two back-to-back time blocks to accommodate an expanded ceremony and will be charged for two-time blocks. The Saturday morning time block is set for 3 hours. All other Saturday and Sunday time blocks are two hours.
Event Rates (seats 275)
2 hour time blocks for 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM Events
| Type of Organization | Rates |
| Non-UH | $1,500.00/min rate |
| UH System Faculty – Staff – Alumni | $1,200.00/min rate |
| UH System Student | $1,050.00/min rate |
Fees include room rental for rehearsal and ceremony, piano, PA/microphones
Explanation of Fees
The A.D. Bruce Religion Center is governed by the Religion Center Policy Board. The Board provides guidance on space utilization and approves fees for the Religion Center.
Includes
The reservation includes the University Chapel, the adjoining lobby and the assigned dressing rooms (rooms 202 and 204). The wedding party should confine themselves to the dressing rooms while upstairs. Wedding guests should remain in the University Chapel lobby area during the allotted time frame.
One (1) hour will be allowed for a rehearsal on the Friday evening of the wedding weekend. The facilities will be available for two (2) hours on the day of the wedding and the chapel must be vacated within that time frame. The wedding party, florist, photographer, and wedding coordinator will be allowed in the chapel no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time slot.
A wedding reservation will be confirmed only upon receipt of full payment.
Possible Conflicts
Should an Act of God or a university-related scheduling conflict develop prior to the initial confirmation date, then the wedding party shall be contacted and given the option of either: (1) working with the Manager to find another acceptable date and/or time (2) canceling the request and receiving a full refund of all fees paid. The university reserves the right to close the center whenever it deems necessary to do so. Should this ever occur during a time when a wedding has been scheduled, the wedding party shall be given a full refund of their reservation fee.
University Chapel Recommended Ceremony Timelines
| 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. CEREMONY (Recommended) | |
|---|---|
| 8:15am | Florist can begin unloading |
| Access to the Dressing Rooms [202 and 204 ADBRC] | |
| 8:30am | Access to the University Chapel begins for decorating |
| 9:00am | PAID RESERVATION BEGINS |
| 9:30am | Decorating should be completed |
| 10:15am | Begin seating guests |
| 10:30am | CEREMONY BEGINS – Processional |
| 10:50am | Ceremony ends |
| 11:00am | Photographs |
| 11:30am | Photographs end |
| Clean up begins | |
| 11:55am | Clean up ends |
| 12:00pm | PAID RESERVATION ENDS |
| 1:30pm Ceremony (recommended) | |
| 12:15pm | Florist can begin unloading |
| Access to the Dressing Rooms [202 and 204 ADBRC] | |
| 12:30pm | Access to University Chapel begins for decorating |
| 1:00pm | PAID RESERVATIONS BEGINS |
| 1:10pm | Decorating should be completed |
| 1:15pm | Begins seating guests |
| 1:30pm | CEREMONY BEGINS – Processional |
| 1:50pm | Ceremony ends |
| 2:00pm | Photographs |
| 2:30pm | Photographs end |
| Clean up begins | |
| 2:55pm | Clean up ends |
| 3:00pm | PAID RESERVATION ENDS |
| 4:30pm Ceremony (recommended) | |
| 3:15pm | Florist can begin unloading |
| Access to the Dressing Rooms [202 and 204 ADBRC] | |
| 3:30pm | Access to the University Chapel begins for decorating |
| 4:00pm | PAID RESERVATIONS BEGINS |
| 4:10pm | Decorating should be completed |
| 4:15pm | Begins seating guests |
| 4:30pm | CEREMONY BEGINS – Processional |
| 4:50pm | Ceremony ends |
| 5:00pm | Photographs |
| 5:30pm | Photographs end |
| Clean up begins | |
| 5:55pm | Clean up ends |
| 6:00pm | PAID RESERVATION ENDS |
| 7:30pm Ceremony (recommended) | |
| 6:15pm | Florist can begin unloading |
| party Access to the Dressing Rooms [202 and 204 ADBRC] | |
| 6:30pm | Access to the University Chapel begins for decorating |
| 7:00pm | PAID RESERVATIONS BEGINS |
| 7:10pm | Decorating should be completed |
| 7:15pm | Begins seating guests |
| 7:30pm | CEREMONY BEGINS – Processional |
| 7:50pm | Ceremony ends |
| 8:00pm | Photographs |
| 8:30pm | Photographs end, Clean up begins |
| 8:55pm | Clean up ends |
| 9:00pm | PAID RESERVATION ENDS |
UH Discount
The UH Discount applies only if the bride and/or groom (or the parents of the couple) are either current students, a faculty/staff member or are an alumnus of the University of Houston System. All other patrons are assessed the community rate for Saturday and Sunday events.
Payment
Effective November 1, 2020
In order to secure your wedding time block, we require a deposit of 50% of the reservation fee. Dates and time blocks are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. This deposit is nonrefundable and must be paid within 24 hours of receiving a tentative confirmation of the requested date and time block. The remaining balance must be paid in full 60 days prior to the event date.
Payments can be made online under the weddings tab. Please make sure to include your reservation number when submitting payments.
Payments made in the form of a
- Personal check
- Money order or
- Cashier check
must be made payable to: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. Please indicate in the MEMO section your wedding date and time.
University Chapel Dimensions
| Seating: 275 seats 17 pews – Left 1 railing – Left 17 pews – Right 1 railing – Right Aisle Length – 65 ft Width – 4’ 5” |
Altar Length – 6’ 1/8” Width – 2’ 1 ¼” Height – 3’ 4” CANNOT be removed from altar platform; can be repositioned on altar platform. |
Altar Screen/backdrop Length – 16’ 6” Height – 8’ 6” Pew/end cap Height – 34” Width – 17” Depth – 2” |